The use of a real-time computer diary for data acquisition and processing.
Behavioural researchers have long relied on the use of diaries for the collection of self-report data. We discuss the characteristics of a programmable hand-held computer used to collect hourly and event generated data for 7 days on 20 subjects with panic disorder. In the application described, subjects answered a series of 19 or more questions on the hour from 0700 to 2300 or when they were having a panic attack. Subjects completed 88% of all the hourly ratings (range 64-98%). The system was well accepted by the subjects and provided relatively inexpensive data collection and management.
Taylor
C B
CB
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5490.
Fried
L
L
Kenardy
J
J
D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000523:psychology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005239:Fear; D006801:Humans; D008838:Microcomputers; D010200:Panic; D010556:Personality Tests / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012931:Social Environment; D012984:Software